Programme

Heir to the Mandinka griot tradition, Kimi Djabaté places the balafon at the heart of his music, alongside the kora, the guitar, percussion and singing. Based in Portugal, he brings West African traditions into dialogue with jazz, blues, fado and bossa nova, crafting a sound world that is both deeply rooted and resolutely contemporary. Sung in Mandinka, Creole and Portuguese, his songs carry a message of commitment: defending women's rights, calling for peace, and celebrating tolerance and dialogue between cultures.

In a DJ set guided by her restless digger’s instinct, Lizatron crafts sonic journeys that move across genres, eras, and geographies, unveiling rare finds, textures, and unexpected atmospheres. Her selection—both precise and intuitive—shapes an immersive flow between the experimental and the danceable. The experience is expanded by a video projection of an original drawing by JAS, engaging in a sensory dialogue with the sound.

Lula Pena is one of the most singular voices in contemporary Portuguese music. Blending folk traditions, improvisation and poetic storytelling, her performances unfold as intimate and unpredictable journeys between geographies, memories and languages.

This performance was born from a grandmother’s wish to explain her work as a choreographer to her grandchildren, who became co-creators of something that did not yet exist. With musicians, performers and a set designer, Chão de Meninos emerged: a small land in Sintra where snow laughs, bears play and garden-carpets bloom. A dance and music piece celebrating the strength, laughter and delicacy of children. Production: Lavrar o Mar.

In this workshop, each participant shapes and decorates a cookie figure for Mastro Sol, an installation inspired by Alentejo festival rituals, where figures are hung from festive masts. Each piece carries the gesture and story of its maker, joining others in a collective artwork made by many hands. When Mastro Sol is exhibited on June 27 at 11:00 am, you can return to find your figure and see how it became part of the final piece.

Before the performance (on June 27th), audiences are invited to take part in a participatory workshop where movement, sound, and collective actions gradually shape the world of Caravanserá. Inspired by historical “caravanserais” – places of encounter and exchange –, the workshop creates an informal space where participants of different ages contribute to the atmosphere of the performance, blurring the boundaries between audience and performers.

Mastro Sol is a participatory work that brings together installation, kitchen-workshop and public celebration through the collective creation of edible biscuit-dough flags, produced in workshops open to the community, installed around a mast and shared in the final moment as a gesture of encounter and celebration.

A participatory performance combining dance, music and procession. Inspired by the work of Maria José Ciríaco, Caravanserá invites audiences to join a collective and festive experience where everyone becomes part of the performance.

BRUXAS - ensaio para a esperança invites audiences into a walk through Cascais where feminism, witch hunts and personal memories intersect and blur. Through fragmented narratives and unexpected voices, the performance unsettles official histories and reflects on hope as a fragile yet transformative gesture.

In a DJ set that brings together rhythmic tension and futuristic imagination, Violet summons mutant techno, acid house and off-centre rhythms to build an intense and unpredictable sonic narrative. Between physical pulse and conceptual exploration, the set reflects her connection to dancefloor cultures and the political histories of dance music. The video projection of an original drawing by JAS expands this sensory experience. The DJ programme at the Art Explora Festival is curated by Filho Único.

A garota não is the musical project of Cátia Mazari Oliveira, combining songwriting and social reflection. Presenting Ferry Gold, this concert brings an intimate and powerful look at contemporary realities.

An interactive karaoke hosted by Mike El Nite, where the audience becomes the performer. Combining DJ set and live participation, this event creates a lively and playful atmosphere.